Newbie questions!

chris22104 · 03-21-2008, 09:41 PM

Hi!
Getting my "new" 2000 5 spd. insight this coming week, coming up from Arkansas by carrier. What do I need to know first and foremost? What are the first things one would do to increase the gas milage upon receiving a stock vehicle? I'm sure there are various posts out there, but I'd like a few opinions. Also, the car currently has just the stock tape player. I see there was an optional cd player available. If I was able to get the cd player, is all the wiring harness in place to just plug it in back there or does a cable have to be routed up to the head unit? Anyone got one for sale in good condition? Thanks guys! Chris

**gpsman1** · 03-21-2008, 10:46 PM

I just got my 2000 car Tuesday.

I'm happy with everything... except... the stock speakers are horrible!
( worst of any car I've been in during the past 25 years )

I don't mind the tape deck, since I use Sirius...
However, in a paycheck or two, those stock speakers, and maybe head unit are going in the trash,
not even eBay worthy IMHO.

As a newbie myself, I've got a 300 mile, 67.x MPG ave and climbing!
-John

weslich · 03-21-2008, 11:01 PM

Congratulations on your new investment, Chris. Looks like the '05 & 06 Insights came with CD players. The earlier years came stock with cassette players. Some had optional 6 disk changers mounted in the rear (someone correct me if I am wrong). My '02 came with the cassette, no CD player.

I drive my car very conservatively. No fast starts, no sudden stops. I coast in neutral whenever I can and keep an eye on the state of charge on the battery. It's worked well for me. Best advice, be patient. Good luck, Chris. Have fun with it. Welcome to the Insight fam.

chris22104 · 03-22-2008, 12:06 AM

Also, I have no history about the car besides the previous (second) owners word. He bought the car from a dealer with 92k miles, and he doesn't know the first owner. He didn't do anything to the car at all (besides front brakes and rear tires) and it now has 108k on it. I hear all sorts of talk about the battery pack, bcm and ecm problems, and everything from them being fully covered up to 150k miles, to dealers trying to "split the cost 50%" with the owner, to not being covered at all. Being brand new into it, I'm not familiar with the car at all. How do I know if I have such a problem with any of these components? In in NY and it's clear roads and dry, but 30 degrees out all day long. I drive 40 miles round trip each day to work, maintaining 60 mph the whole way (with only a couple 40 mph towns a mile long each to go through, and only 1 stop light the whole way.) What I'm saying is, I don't know what the "normal" mpg should be, nor have a "feel" for the car, so how would I know if something isn't right?
I also asked the seller about the remote key fobs. He said the 2000 model did not have such fobs, only regular keys, (2 regular keys are coming with the car.) Is this correct?
And, while I'm at it, I don't suppose anyone would have a service manual for sale for the 00 model, would they?
Thanks again guys!
Chris

chris22104 · 03-22-2008, 12:16 AM

Here's some more:
He says it has the check engine light on, and pulls 2 codes, both of which refer to the problem being the upstream o2 sensor. (He didn't tell me the codes.) He said his milage was ussually 61, but now dropped 5-7 mpg into the mid 50's since the CE light. I'm hoping his diagnosis is correct. I intend to read it myself as soon as the car arrives, before spending the $110 on a new o2 sensor ahead of time (in case it isn't the problem.) It makes me wonder why he wouldn't have replaced it himself if that is the only problem!? I hope it is not deeper rooted that "just the sensor!"

ikhoudvanu199 · 03-22-2008, 12:35 AM

there is no such thing as "normal" mileage...as you read through the site more, you will see that there are about 38295732895043 different factors that effect mileage

and the 2000's did come with key fob's....mine had one, till it got run over...but theyre like $60 or so to get replaced from the dealer

ibjeff · 03-22-2008, 01:51 AM

Its all in to what you want to put into your driving style. Any way you drive your Insight you win, whether you get 45 mpg or 100mpg!!!!! Just enjoy your car. It will get you attention....sometimes positive and sometimes negative..... your car is different and evokes many different opinions from different people. I have had people wait in a parking lot to ask me about the car. some love it and what it stands for and some hate it and call it UGLY...be ready for all opinions and take them with a smile. All that matters is that you like your car...enjoy it..its cheap to drive!!!!!!but remember ITS DIFFERENT!!!!!! IT WILL GET NOTICED!!!!!

james · 03-22-2008, 01:20 PM

A couple of quick & easy things to do:

1) Check the tire pressure. If you read some of the threads here, you'll see most people are running 45-50 psi.

2) Radiator block. You're in New York, no? This time of year the engine is probably not going to warm to full operating temperature without one. A ScanGauge or similar will give you real coolant temp - the dash gauge is not at all accurate.

chris22104 · 03-22-2008, 11:34 PM

With the block off, what size would be best without having to worry about overheating/ damage? It is steady 30-45 degrees in this area during these months, hopefully to hit 50's next month. Anyone got any pics? It's just a piece of cardboard slid between the ac condensor and the radiator, right? Unrelated, if I buy the missing key fobs from the dealer, can I program them myself or does the dealer have to do it? Cost involved? Thanks again guys!
Chris